The Ombudsman for Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities, with support from the Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities, announces a campaign to prevent abuse of people with disabilities. The Prevention of Abuse Campaign is available for review and can be accessed at treatpeoplelikepeople.org

Abuse can take many forms, from disinterest to mistreatment and pain. Adults with disabilities are three times more likely to experience violent victimization. In 2018, vulnerable adults in Minnesota were subjected to 10,435 reported incidents of emotional abuse alone.

The Treat People Like People campaign was designed to raise awareness of abuse and neglect of people with disabilities and to educate people with disabilities and their families and guardians, and the general public on how to identify, report and respond to abuse of people with disabilities. The campaign highlights the value and dignity of each person living with a disability. Materials were co-created with people with disabilities, their family members, advocates and professional in a policy and care provision. We thank them all for their generosity of time spent to make this campaign a reality.

Having a disability often means trusting those who provide their support and care. Too often, that trust can be violated with words or actions. It’s a real problem, with a real solution. One that begins with each of us. Together, Minnesotans can stop abuse. The website offers tools and resources for those providing care or support and to empower those with disabilities.  The Ombudsman for Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities, with support from the Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities, announces a campaign to prevent abuse of people with disabilities. The Prevention of Abuse Campaign is available for review and can be accessed at treatpeoplelikepeople.org Abuse can take many forms, from disinterest to mistreatment and pain. Adults with disabilities are three times more likely to experience violent victimization. In 2018, vulnerable adults in Minnesota were subjected to 10,435 reported incidents of emotional abuse alone. The Treat People Like People campaign was designed to raise awareness of abuse and neglect of people with disabilities and to educate people with disabilities and their families and guardians, and the general public on how to identify, report and respond to abuse of people with disabilities. The campaign highlights the value and dignity of each person living with a disability. Materials were co-created with people with disabilities, their family members, advocates and professional in a policy and care provision. We thank them all for their generosity of time spent to make this campaign a reality. Having a disability often means trusting those who provide their support and care. Too often, that trust can be violated with words or actions. It’s a real problem, with a real solution. One that begins with each of us. Together, Minnesotans can stop abuse. The website offers tools and resources for those providing care or support and to empower those with disabilities.